Challenges In The Establishment Of A Discovery In ‘Go Back’ Documentary And Poem ‘Ithaca’ By C.P.Cavafy
Due to the underlying confronting nature of discovery, it becomes an innate urge for an individual to explore and become informed of the intense physical and/or psychological journey they may experience in order to ultimately comprehend their final discovery. Essentially, a discovery is a transformative course that shifts, influences and challenges individuals’ perspectives and beliefs in regards to their surroundings. The documentary series ‘Go Back To Where You Came From’ (‘Go Back’), directed by Ivan O’Mahoney, in conjunction with the poem ‘Ithaca’, written by C. P. Cavafy, stress that challenges in context are the driving force for a more deepened and transformative discovery. Confronting uncertainty is a key challenge in the establishment of a discovery, leaving many individuals overwhelmed and unable to further grow and enhance their perspectives.
Moments of ambiguity, hostility and pessimism initially dominated more than half of the six participants in ‘Go Back’ who began to embark on the reverse refugee and asylum seeker course. In particular, through her adverse mindset, “if it were up to me, I would send them back. They wouldn’t stay here, ” Raquel Moore makes it clear that this discovery is unsettling, as she holds fixed pessimistic views in regards to the status of refugees and asylum seekers. In conjunction, mirroring this cynical outlook, Raye Colbey initially complemented these insensitive beliefs, stating in an intrusive mise en scene, “they have no right to come here demanding generosity from the Australian Government. ” Through the use of archive footage, credibility is added to the documentary, whilst also informing the viewers of the contradicting perspectives held by the participants, and Australia as a whole. Additionally, it provides insight for persuasion through further enhancement of their beliefs in this gradual progress, leading to growth and maturity.
A discovery is an experiential, confronting and provocative course that develops over time, thus it inevitably stimulates growth. As it is relatively based on Homer’s poem, ‘The Odyssey’, ‘Ithaca’ brings about countless hardships that can challenge one’s beliefs and ethics. Nevertheless, it profoundly stresses the need and importance of these challenges in order to reach a meaningful discovery. “Laistrygonians, Cyclops, wild Poseidon - you won’t encounter them… as long a you keep your thoughts raised high. . . unless you bring them along inside your soul. ” The repetition of “as long as” is echoed by “unless you, ” implying that an optimistic mindset is crucial. Cavafy is suggesting that the traveller, as well as the reader, requires frequent reinforcement in order to truly fathom his message.
Through the exploration of new and unfamiliar routes, individuals embark on a journey of spiritual and psychological development. Furthermore, those they confront on the way only heighten and broaden their knowledge and understanding of their unfamiliar surroundings. “I needed a lot of answers, and I’ve come to this house with these people and heard their story… now I feel so humble because… they are the true refugees.” A moment of anagnorisis is apparent for not only Raye, but the other participants in ‘Go Back’, the traveller in ‘Ithaca’, yet also for the reader. Ultimately, the central message in ‘Ithaca’ is based upon the meaning of life. Hence, it is reiterated that an individual should “not hurry the journey at all, ” but rather let it “last for years. ” Cavafy emphasizes that what is most valuable in life is not inevitably the final goal, yet the people met and obstacles endured along the way. This is supported by persistent repetition and emphasis of “hope your road is a long one.”
Through reference to Ithaca in a plural tense, “wise and full of experience, you’ll have understood what these Ithakas mean, ” it is evident that the term ‘Ithaca’ is a metaphor for all destinations in life. Essentially, an individual has genuinely apprehended the true meaning of Ithaca only once they have come to the realisation and conclusion that “Ithaca gave you the marvelous journey… and if you find her poor, Ithaca won’t have fooled you.” Hence, the reward is not the final destination, yet the journey and discovery made en route.
